NY Bartender Charged With Workers' Comp Fraud

Posted By Katz Leidman Grossman Wolfe & Freund || 7-Jan-2016

ELMIRA, NY – On Dec. 22, 2015, New York State Inspector General Catherine
Leahy Scott announced the arrest of an Elmira bartender for his role in
workers’ compensation fraud.

J. Hooks, Jr., 56, of Elmira, is now facing multiple criminal charges,
including grand larceny in the third degree, insurance fraud in the third
degree, falsifying business records in the first degree, and fraudulent
practices (a
workers’ compensation crime) – all felonies in New York.

Hooks is accused of collecting nearly $25,000 in workers’ compensation
payments that he wasn’t legally entitled to while working as a bartender
at Ramsey’s Place in Elmira, New York.

Inspector General Leahy Scott said that workers’ compensation coverage
is meant to protect employees, but Hooks allegedly used it to fraudulently
enrich himself.

Leahy Scott said that she will continue to use the resources in her office
to pursue those who abuse the workers’ compensation system at the
expense of hard-working New Yorkers.

Under state law, New York employers are required to carry workers’
compensation for their employees. Conversely, employees must be truthful
about their work activities to the Workers’ Compensation Board and
insurance carriers while receiving benefits.

An investigation by Leahy Scott uncovered that Hooks, who was injured while
working at a grocery store in the 1990s, continued to tell his insurance
company that he was not working in any capacity, when it reality he was
working as a bartender at least since 2013 at Ramsey’s Place in Elmira.

Hooks’ December arrest was a part of a collaborated effort by Inspector
General Leahy Scott and local and state law enforcement agencies, who
are partnering in multiple investigations across New York.

Workers’ compensation fraud has far-reaching effects; it contributes
to increased premiums, greater workloads for co-workers and a reduction
in workforce productivity overall.

Have a New York workers’ compensation case?
Call (888) 250-5427 for a free case evaluation!